MIchigan-born Stage Star Remembers Teacher that Inspired Career in the Arts

The saying goes that you may not be able to change the world, but you can change the world for one person. For Lansing-born stage star Sam McLellan that saying rings true and he can pinpoint the person who changed his trajectory. 

McLellan can trace his success back to his school days and the support of one teacher. 

A sports focused student, McLellan listened to the urgings of a football teammate and tried out for the school musical, Guys and Dolls. He ended up landing the lead role and his life course was altered. Prior, he didn’t even realize lucrative careers in theatre existed.

“Immediately after getting the role and starting rehearsals I realized this is really striking a chord for me. I went to my choir teacher and asked, can you really make a living at this?” Laughed McLellan. “He assured me that it was possible and he was absolutely positive we could make it happen. There are people along the way who’ve made you who you are and he is definitely one of those people for me.”

He stills stays in touch with that teacher and reaches out every once in awhile to thank that teacher for their role in shaping his success.

After earning a degree in musical theater from the University of Wisconsin, McLellan moved to New York and couldn’t be more satisfied with how his life has evolved through the years. 

“It has been a wild ride and I couldn’t be more excited about the kind of life I get to lead,” said McLellan. 

Currently, he is touring with the musical Anastasia which will make a stop June 3 - 5 at the MIdland Center for Performing Art as part of the Huntington Bank Broadway and Beyond Series. The story expounds on the historical tale of the Romanov family, in particular the rumored only living heir to the royal line, Anastasia. The Romanov family was the last imperial dynasty to rule Russia. Over three centuries, 18 Romanovs took the Russian throne. Nicholas II, his wife and five children were killed in the early hours of July 17, 1918. Since then, rumors and stories that one of the daughters, Anastasia survived have abounded. Many have claimed royal lineage through the years, some claim to be direct descendants of the lost princess.   

McLellan plays Dimitri in this production. Dimitri is a bit of a con-artist, and it is his character's growth and change throughout the show that draws him to the stage each night.

“In the process of learning the show, I fell in love with this character,” said McLellan. “He goes on a journey much like a journey I’ve gone on in my own life. He starts off very independent, thinking he is the only one he can depend upon. He begins to recognize that when you grow close to someone not only can you trust someone else, sometimes it is the best thing to happen. He goes on this amazing journey of self-discovery.”

With stellar projection work and a majestic musical score, the show brings to life the streets of Paris and Russia while exploring what it means to be who you are. 

“Anastasia explores one determined girl’s journey to find home, love, and family as she discovers who she was and embraces who she is meant to be,” reads the show web site. 

Though audiences may be more familiar with the animated version of the story, McLellan is certain there is something for everyone in this production. 

“It kind of has the appeal of Cinderella and that’s an inherent thing that people can relate to,” explained McLellan. “What sets it apart is that it’s not too disney-fied, it’s a little unconventional in some ways. The characters aren’t quite what you would expect.”

Though he has found his passion in performing on stage, McLellan said life on the road has challenges, though the incredibly joys of being able to perform for audiences and bring a story to life far outweigh any negative aspects. He offered helpful advice to those considering joining a tour.

“This is a job. It’s a grind. It’s going to be work. The in-between spaces are what make or break you and you can pack lighter than you think,” laughed McLellan. “On the road, find something that reminds you of home.”

In turbulent times, McLellan said theatre and the arts can be an escape but also give audiences the chance to see how others work through issues.

“I think generally speaking, people seek out the arts as a reprieve,” said McLellan. “I think the role of what we do in the culture is to challenge. We give others the chance to confront issues. Theatre gives people the opportunity to confront by seeing them represented on stage.”

Those opportunities of connection give McLellan the motivation to give 100 percent each time he takes to the stage while on a sometimes grueling cross-country tour. He looks forward to bringing Dimitri’s story to life each show and has a favorite moment in the show that brings his character full circle.

“I love to perform the song ‘Everything to Win’ because it’s the moment where his arc and journey comes together,” said McLellan. “It’s the perfect moment for Dimitri, showing that incredible journey of growth and it’s so much fun to perform every night.”

Catch McLellan at Midland Center for the Arts June 3-5 to see his powerhouse performance in Anastasia. For more information visit midlandcenter.org.

This article was written by Amy Jo Brown